Connie Gardner’s ‘Run Across Ohio’ comes to Medina

Medina’s Connie Gardner, second from left, begins the second leg of Thursday’s portion of “Run Across Ohio” on South Court Street. Gardner is joined Thursday in Medina by Cara Simmons, of Cuyahoga Falls, far left; Hugh Patton, of Medina, third from left; and Brunswick resident Phil Morgan, far right, who accompanied her south to Lodi. (GAZETTE PHOTO BY STEVE GRAZIER)

Medina resident Connie Gardner, 49, started Thursday morning at Cleveland Browns Stadium and finished the day in Ashland as part of “Run Across Ohio.”

Her 242-mile trek will end Sunday at Cincinnati’s Paul Brown Stadium.

Gardner, who set a U.S. women’s record in September by running 149 miles in 24 hours, is raising money for The Patriot Runners, which will sponsor her “Run Across America” as well as her “Run Across Ohio.”